Multimedia controller

Abstract

A portable communication device ( 200 ) can serve as a multimedia controller and can include a transceiver having wireless access to a client computer ( 510 ) coupled to a multimedia device ( 515, 520 , and 525 ). The multimedia controller can also include a display ( 205 ) coupled to the transceiver ( 201 ), and a processor ( 202 ) coupled to the display and the transceiver. The processor can be programmed to send instructions to the client computer to perform at least one function among retrieving status information regarding the multimedia device, retrieving a program channel guide, controlling a recording function, selecting a program channel for display at the multimedia controller or selecting content from the client computer or a server coupled thereto for display at the multimedia controller. The processor can also be programmed to receive status information or content in response to sending instructions and to display the status information or content.

1. A multimedia controller, comprising:
 a transceiver having wireless access to a client computer coupled to a number of multimedia devices; 
 a display coupled to the transceiver; 
 audio circuitry coupled to the transceiver; 
 a processor coupled to the display, audio circuitry, and the transceiver, wherein the processor receives and stores program instructions for: 
 sending instructions to the client computer to perform the functions of retrieving status information regarding the multimedia device, retrieving a program channel guide, controlling a recording function, selecting a program channel for display at the multimedia controller, and selecting content from the client computer or a server coupled thereto 
 receiving status information or content in response to sending instructions; 
 displaying the status information or content; and 
 rendering selected content received from the client computer or server, the content comprising visual content that is rendered on the display or audio content that is rendered through the audio circuitry; 
 a bus communicatively linked to transceiver, display, audio circuitry, and processor; and 
 a plurality of sensors communicatively linked through the bus to the processor, wherein the sensors include a transponder for tracking movements of a user within a smart environment and at least one of a code reader having an optical scanning device for reading bar codes, a combination heart-rate sensor and galvanic skin sensor for detecting an anxiety-related condition of the user, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor. 
 
     
     
       2. The multimedia controller of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is part of a cellular phone or a smart phone, with or without wireless LAN capability. 
     
     
       3. The multimedia controller of  claim 1 , wherein the multimedia device is selected from the group comprising a television set, LCD panel display, a video recorder, an MP3 player, a music player, and a picture viewer. 
     
     
       4. The multimedia controller of  claim 1 , wherein the status information or content received by multimedia controller is selected among television channel listings, music station channel listings, thumbnail sketches of channel listings, recording schedules, review multimedia status settings. 
     
     
       5. The multimedia controller of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless access to the client computer comprises a infrared connection from the multimedia controller to the client computer. 
     
     
       6. The multimedia controller of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless access to the client computer comprises a Universal Datagram Packet connection from the multimedia controller to the client computer. 
     
     
       7. The multimedia controller of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless access to the client comprises at least one transceiver that communicates with the client computer directly in a shorter range and alternatively communicates with the client computer via a wireless network. 
     
     
       8. A multimedia controller system, comprising:
 a multimedia device; 
 a client computer coupled to the multimedia device; and 
 a multimedia controller used to wirelessly send instructions to the client computer to control the multimedia device, wherein the multimedia controller comprises:
 a transceiver having wireless access to the client computer; 
 a display coupled to the transceiver; 
 audio circuitry coupled to the transceiver; 
 a processor coupled to the display, audio circuitry, and the transceiver, wherein the processor receives and stores program instructions for:
 sending instructions to the client computer to perform he functions of retrieving status information regarding the multimedia device, retrieving a program channel guide, controlling a recording function, selecting a program channel for display at the multimedia controller, and selecting content from the client computer or a server coupled thereto; 
 receiving status information or content in response to sending instructions; 
 displaying the status information or content; and 
 rendering selected content received from the client computer or server, the content comprising visual content that is rendered on the display or audio content that is rendered through the audio circuitry; 
 
 a bus communicatively linked to transceiver, display, audio circuitry, and processor; and 
 a plurality of sensors communicatively linked through the bus to the processor, wherein the sensors include a transponder for tracking movements of a user within a smart environment and at least one of a code reader having an optical scanning device for reading bar codes, a combination heart-rate sensor and galvanic skin sensor for detecting an anxiety-related condition of the user a radio frequency identification (REID) sensor. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The multimedia controller system of  claim 8 , wherein the transceiver is part of a cellular phone or a smart phone. 
     
     
       10. The multimedia controller system of  claim 8 , wherein the multimedia device is selected from the group comprising a television set, an LCD Panel display, a video recorder, an MP3 player, a music player, and a picture viewer. 
     
     
       11. The multimedia controller system of  claim 8 , wherein the status information or content received by multimedia controller is selected among television channel listings, music station channel listings, thumbnail sketches of channel listings, recording schedules, review multimedia status settings. 
     
     
       12. The multimedia controller system of  claim 8 , wherein the wireless access to the client computer comprises a infrared connection from the multimedia controller to the client computer. 
     
     
       13. The multimedia controller system of  claim 8 , wherein the wireless access to the client computer comprises a Universal Datagram Packet connection from the multimedia controller to the client computer via a network. 
     
     
       14. The multimedia controller system of  claim 8 , wherein the wireless access to the client comprises at least one transceiver that communicates with the client computer directly in a shorter range and alternatively communicates with the client computer via a wireless network. 
     
     
       15. A method of remotely controlling a multimedia device, comprising the steps of:
 programming instructions executable by a processor contained in a portable two-way communication device; 
 wirelessly transmitting the instructions using the portable two-way communication device to a client computer coupled to the multimedia device to control the multimedia device; 
 receiving by the portable two-way communication device status information or content in response to wirelessly transmitting instructions; 
 rendering the status information or content associated with the multimedia device at the portable two-way communication device; and 
 performing a plurality of sensing functions using a plurality of sensors communicatively linked to the processor, the sensors including a transponder for tracking movements of a user within a smart environment and at least one of a code reader having an optical scanning device for reading bar codes, a combination heart-rate sensor and galvanic skin sensor for detecting an anxiety-related condition of the user, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of transmitting instructions comprises transmitting a Universal Datagram Packet via a cellular phone to the client computer. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the multimedia device is selected from the group comprising a television set, a video recorder, an MP3 player, a music player, and a picture viewer. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of receiving comprises the step of receiving status information or content in the form selected among television channel listings, music station channel listings, thumbnail sketches of channel listings, recording schedules, multimedia status settings reviews. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of wirelessly transmitting comprises transmitting via an infrared connection to the client computer. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the steps of wirelessly transmitting and receiving comprises communicating directly with the client computer in a short range and alternatively communicating with the client computer using a wireless network coupled to the internet.